"Histories" Topic

Earlier this year I asked for, and received, advice on books about Gettysburg.

I've read all the ones that were mentioned, and I've certainly learned far more about the battle than I expected.

Now, I'm looking for suggestions for histories of the entire war.

Should I start with Foote or McPherson? Are there others out there that are better?

I look forward to learning more this conflict, with your excellent help!

I'd get both. Half Price books usually has Foote pretty cheap. I'd also check Amazon and ABE books.

Foote is available on audible as well if you want to listen to it.

Foote is a good read, albeit somewhat thin on analysis. Peter Parish, The American Civil War, has often been called the a best single volume history of the war although this accolade may now have been passed on to McPherson.

McPherson is by far the best full, scholarly (yet readable) treatment of the war era. He goes well beyond just the military history. As an added bonus, you can get The Battle Cry of Freedom for pretty cheap if you don't mind it used. As noted earlier, Foote is a lovely storyteller but not a historian.

Billy Yank

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

Now I'm torn – do I buy the books or simply get them from the library? :)

Foote's books are not very accurate or scholarly. There are no footnotes and historians have long found bad errors in his research. He repeats often told myths and made-up stories and repeats them as facts. Having said that… the books are engaging and the Civil War series by Ken Burns made him a celebrity. Try and get these from a library.

My colleague at the college is currently reading Foote's book on Gettysburg. He said it is an enjoyable read but heavy, heavy Lost Cause interpretation.

Foote always came across as a lovely guy in the Ken Burns series – full of 'Southern Charm' but as an historian McPherson beats him hands down.

I know that, except for his Civil War non-fiction, the late Mr. Foote was far more known for his novels.

This may explain both his wonderful narrative style (I've started the first volume) and his lack of a rigid historical approach.

Of course, since it looks like the Civil War history was first copyrighted in 1958, this may be another explanation for the lack of a rigid historical approach.

Shelby Foote's history is dated, lacks a scholarly apparatus – but, once opened, the smell of tobacco, gunpowder, molasses and lamp oil lures you in and it is very difficult to put down.
The Battles and Leaders series – what's not to like?
Single volume books:
The Ward and Burns accompaniment to the TV series is very useful – especially the photographs and some nice maps
Philip Katcher American Civil War
Ditto The Civil War Source Book
David Miller Illustrated Directory of the Civil War
Brian Holden Reid The American Civil War